Published: Wed 25 Apr 2018
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse today released its Interim Report. The report can be found here.
The IWF has commented in response to section 5.1 The Internet.
Susie Hargreaves OBE, IWF CEO, said: “The IWF welcomes the Interim Report by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Sadly, we’re not shocked to hear that police forces have seen a 700% increase in referrals of child sexual abuse cases online since 2012-2013 and an average of 3,500 referrals a month by the end of August 2016.
“Having just released our 2017 Annual Report figures, we have seen an increase of 37% in webpages containing confirmed child sexual abuse imagery since 2016. While our analysts have worked harder than ever to make sure these images and videos are removed from the internet, we also know what we’re seeing could just be the tip of the iceberg.
“More can be and must be done to tackle this problem. Child sexual abuse victims can face a lifetime of torment. The Inquiry’s Interim Report is a hugely positive step forward. But we cannot be complacent and all those involved need to continue to work together, to put the needs of the victims first.”
New online safety guidelines need to be more ambitious if the “hopes of a safer internet” are to be realised, the IWF warns.